[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JOE SESTO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to an 
outstanding citizen, Mr. Joe Sesto, upon the celebration of his 90th 
birthday. Mr. Sesto has been an extraordinary asset to the City of 
Santa Maria, California, as well as to Vandenberg Air Force Base, since 
he arrived on the Central Coast in 1950.
  Even at the age of 90, it is difficult to find anyone who is as 
active in the community as Mr. Sesto. He continues to serve on several 
community boards, and at a recent Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce 
annual meeting, was dubbed ``Mr. Santa Maria.'' Mr. Sesto received the 
Golden Medallion Award for being the Chairman of the Local American 
Heart Association, and was the President of the Santa Maria Chamber of 
Commerce in 1954. He has also been the Chairman for the Ways and Means 
Committee for the Construction of the Marian Medical Center, which is 
the primary hospital in Santa Maria. Mr. Sesto has served on the County 
Grand Jury, the County Arts Commission, the County Health Commission, 
and the City of Santa Maria Planning Commission. He was the Chairman 
for the Development of the Cultural Facilities, Chairman for the Bond 
Drive to Build Hancock College Performing Arts Theater and past 
President of the Robert Goddard Chapter of the Air Force Association.
  Mr. Sesto is also the Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee and 
has served as liaison to Vandenberg Air Force Base since its inception 
in 1957. He has received national, state and local awards for his Air 
Force Association activities, including the highest civilian award 
given by the Air Force, ``The Exceptional Service Award.'' In 1990, Mr. 
Sesto was named the Honorary Missileer at the Missile Competition, and 
the base auditorium was named The Sesto Auditorium in 1986.
  Joe Sesto has shared his glorious sense of humor and generous heart 
with his fellow central coast neighbors for many, many years. He and 
his wife Philomene, who have been married for 67 years, can only be 
described as true pillars of the Santa Maria Valley. I am blessed to 
know this wonderful individual, and urge my colleagues to join me in 
wishing him birthday greetings on this joyous occasion.

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